The 2020 school budget vote and Board election is taking place by absentee ballot only. Ballots must be received by 5 p.m. on June 9 if they are being hand delivered to the drop box located at the Watervliet Jr.-Sr. High School, or by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16, if they are being returned by U.S. Mail.
Why is this year’s budget vote taking place by absentee ballot only?
On May 1, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that this year’s budget vote and board of election would take place exclusively by absentee ballot in June, instead of the traditional mid-May date because of concerns about the coronavirus public health crisis.
Instead of heading to the polls, voters should have received an absentee ballot in the mail. To be counted, voters must fill out the ballot, sign the envelope where indicated, and return it to the school district. The deadlines are different depending on whether you are hand delivering your ballot or returning it by U.S. Mail:
- Hand delivered ballots may be placed in a drop box at Watervliet Jr.-Sr. High School on Tuesday, June 9 by 5 p.m.
- Ballots being returned by U.S. Mail must be received by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16
How and when will I receive my absentee ballot?
The Watervliet City School District mailed absentee ballots with prepaid return envelopes to registered voters in our district the week of June 1.
If you are a qualified voter and did not receive a ballot, contact district clerk Bernadette Boardman at 518-629-3201 no later than Tuesday, June 9 at 5 p.m.
Am I a qualified voter?
If you are a U.S. citizen, 18 years old and have been a resident of the district for 30 days or more prior to June 9, you are a qualified voter in the 2020-21 school budget vote and board election.
I got my absentee ballot. Now what?
Once you receive your ballot, carefully read and follow the directions. Sign and date the envelope where indicated. If your envelope is not completely filled out and signed, your vote can not be counted.
I made a mistake. Can I get a new ballot?
If you tear, deface or wrongly mark your ballot, contact district clerk Bernadette Boardman at 518-629-3201 immediately for instructions on how to obtain a new ballot. Please note: The damaged ballot must be returned to the district before a new ballot can be provided.
When should I send my ballot back to the school district?
Fill out and return your ballot as soon as possible after you receive it. Ballots may be returned by U.S. mail by using the prepaid return envelope. Mailed in ballots will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16.
In-person drop-off of ballots ends at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9. Please drop completed ballots in the locked ballot box located at the main entrance to Watervliet Jr.-Sr. High School on June 9.
What happens when the district receives my ballot?
The district will collect, log and hold onto all the ballots until the June 16 deadline. At 5:01 p.m., on June 16, the opening and counting of ballots will begin. The district plans to livestream the ballot count. A link to the livestream will be posted on our website prior to the vote date. We expect to have the results posted to the school’s website on or around 8 p.m. on June 16, depending on how quickly the ballots can be opened and counted.
Whom do I contact if I have any additional questions?
Please contact district clerk Bernadette Boardman at 518-629-3201.